NMSU Former Landfill Monitoring and Future Use

New Mexico State University utilized an on-campus landfill for municipal solid waste and construction debris disposal from 1974 to mid-1989. Working with the
New Mexico Environment Department (NMED), NMSU has been actively monitoring the landfill area for methane generation and groundwater constituents of concern.
The former landfill has been capped, closed, and a stone anti-erosion armoring has been installed along the eastern boundary to protect from potential high water flows in the Tortugas Arroyo.

Because the landfill location is convenient to the Aggie Memorial Stadium, Stan Fulton Center, NMSU Tennis Center, and the Pat and Lou Sisbarro Community Park, NMSU has coordinated with NMED to be able to utilize the area for vehicle parking. In order to ensure safety to the public, access will not be granted sooner than October 2019. And if methane were to be detected above environmental regulatory standards, public access would be denied for safety reasons.

New Mexico State University strives to protect human health and the environment, and is actively monitoring the former landfill. Once safety is guaranteed, the area may be opened for parking.